Yonkers Neighborhood Group Tries To Preserve Mansion Bought By Islamic Group

The Islamic Community Center of Mid Westchester purchased 2 Grandview Blvd. in Yonkers and plans to convert it into a mosque. (Credit: Sean Adams/WCBS 880)The Islamic Community Center of Mid Westchester purchased 2 Grandview Blvd. in Yonkers and plans to convert it into a mosque. (Credit: Sean Adams/WCBS 880)

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Mosque or historic mansion?

In Yonkers, that’s a question up for debate.

The Islamic Community Center of Mid Westchester has purchased 2 Grandview Blvd., a stately three-story Medieval revival home with a turret and fieldstone walls, WCBS 880’s Sean Adams reported.

The plan is to convert it into a mosque.

Some neighbors, however, fear architectural features will be lost.

The Colonial Heights Association of Taxpayers has filed for landmark status.

Arshad Shariff with the Islamic group said the exterior will be preserved as much as possible.

“We plan to have another program with the neighbors in the near future,” he told Adams. “If they have any concerns, they’re more than welcome to participate in that and let us know what their concerns are.”

The Journal News reported there is no proof linking the home to anything historic. It’s roughly a century old.